If you plan to visit the US on a B1/B2 visitor visa, there is a caveat. The tour shouldn’t be anything more beyond innocent meetings, sightseeing or meeting your family.
The consequences of misuse of a US visa could be dire, the US Consulate General in Mumbai has warned.
The Consulate advisory for B1/B2 visa holders has gone on record saying that engaging in unauthorised employment while in the US could result in deportation. And even a permanent ban on future entry into the US, a national daily reported.
The advisory was shared in a LinkedIn post, where the Consulate urged travellers to understand the boundaries of their visa before making travel plans.
“Know the rules before you travel. A B1/B2 visitor visa can be used to conduct business meetings and negotiate contracts, but you need a different visa to work. Unauthorised employment can lead to deportation and/or a permanent ban from entering America in the future,” the post read.
According to the US government website, a citizen of a foreign country wishing to travel to the United States must first obtain a visa. It should be procured either a nonimmigrant visa for a temporary stay or an immigrant visa for permanent residence.
Visitor visas are nonimmigrant visas issued to people entering the US temporarily for business (B-1), tourism (B-2), or for a combination of both purposes (B-1/B-2).
Under the B-1 (Business) category, permitted activities include consulting with business associates, attending a scientific, educational, professional, or business convention or conference, settling an estate, and negotiating a contract.
Under the B-2 (Tourism) category, visitors are allowed to undertake tourism or vacations, visit friends or relatives, seek medical treatment, participate in social events hosted by fraternal, social, or service organisations, and participate as amateurs in musical, sports, or similar events or contests.
Another caveat here: these privileges are allowed provided they are not paid for participating.
The visa also allows enrollment in a short recreational course of study not for credit toward a degree, such as a two-day cooking class taken while on vacation.
Adding to the advisory, the US Embassy in India has released a video on social media featuring two characters, Nick and Neha, explaining what could happen if a visitor extends their stay or misuses a B1/B2 visa.
“Foreign hi, My name is Nick. My name is Neha. Welcome to Visa Guide. During your visa interview, if the consular officer believes you do not intend to follow the rules for a visitor visa, he or she may deny your application. It is your responsibility to use your visa correctly. Learn what you are and are not allowed to do when visiting the United States on a B1 B2 visitor visa. If you misuse your visa or stay longer than allowed, you could be permanently banned from future travel.”
The message, whether delivered through a LinkedIn post or a short explainer video, remains the same: visitor visas have clear limits. Crossing them can have long-term consequences.
Also Read: H-1B Visa Row: White House Says System Misused, Justifies Rule Change https://www.vibesofindia.com/h1-b-visa/
